Murex medic

Murex medic
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NOTE: The information in this Agnote must be read in conjunction with Introduction to selecting and using pastures in NSW, which covers information on areas of adaptation, sources of variability, species mixtures, and important issues related to animal health and the conservation of native vegetation.

Pasture type and use	Winter-growing annual legume. Dryland grazing, hay production, legume break crop and crop rotation.
Area of adaptation	Mainly in the Central West and South West Slopes, and Southern Tablelands.
Min. average annual rainfall	500 mm (southern NSW)
Advantages	More drought-tolerant than sub clover. Can remain green longer than sub clover. High levels of hard seed enhance persistence. High quality grazing. Helps maintain nitrogen fertility in cropping rotations.
Disadvantages	Will not tolerate extended waterlogging. High hard-seed levels may reduce regeneration in the second year. Lush and/or pure stands can cause animal health problems.
Soil requirements	Grows on a range of soil types from red-brown earths to cracking clays. Will grow on acid soils if correct inoculum used. Not for pH < 4.5(Ca) and >15% soil aluminium.
Varieties	Zodiac
Sowing rates:
- as only species	3–6 kg/ha
- in mixtures	2 kg/ha
Sowing time	Autumn for all districts.
Companion species	Sub clover, lucerne (winter-active). Also suitable for sowing with a low rate of oats (e.g. 10 kg/ha) as a high-yielding forage legume break crop.
Inoculation	Medic (or group AM).
Major nutrient deficiencies	Usually phosphorus, sulfur in some areas, occasionally zinc and molybdenum.
Main insect pests	Redlegged earth mite, blue oat mite, lucerne flea, spotted alfalfa aphid, bluegreen aphid, pea aphid.
Main diseases	Crown rot, root rot, alfalfa mosaic virus, phoma.
Management	Once established can be continuously grazed. Avoid overgrazing at seed-set in initial year to build seed reserves. Incorporation of pods with light discing after seed-set protects pods from being eaten by sheep and improves regeneration. Cropping after the first year is an alternative method to burying pods, and ensures good regeneration.
Livestock disorders of particular note	Photosensitisation in horses; occasionally red gut in sheep; frequently bloat in cattle.
Additional tips	Sowing without a cover crop greatly improves establishment.
Further information	Agfact P2.1.12 Pasture legumes for low rainfall environments. Agfact P2.5.11 Medic pastures. Agfact P2.5.26 Murex medic. Weed control in lucerne and pastures 2004.

Acknowledgment

Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.

Photo: Warren McDonald, Former Technical Specialist (Pastures), NSW Agriculture, Tamworth.